The Banks of Red Roses

The Banks of Red Roses

On the banks of red roses my love and I sat down
And I took out my fiddle for to play my love a tune
In the middle of the tune oh, she sighed and she said
Oh, my Johnny, lovely Johnny would you leave me?

Oh, when I was a young girl I heard my mother say
That I was a foolish lass and easy led astray
And before I would work I would sooner sport and play
With my Johnny on the banks of red roses

Well, he took her to his lodge and he treated her to tea
Saying drink my dearest Molly and come along with me
Saying drink my dearest Molly and come along with me
To the sweet and lovely banks of red roses

Well, they walked and they talked till they came unto a cave
Where Johnny all the day had been digging up a grave
Where Johnny all the day had been digging up a grave
For to leave his lassie low among the roses

Then he took out his penknife, it was both long and sharp
And he plunged it right into his own dear Molly's heart
And he plunged it right into his own dear Molly's heart
And he left her lying low among the roses

There is a lot of this sort of thing goes on even today in one fashion or another, but you seldom hear anyone singing about it. Sometimes I think it's good to sing about what is happening around you even though it's not particularly pleasant. I could be wrong though.

I learned this song from the singing of Johnny Moynihan when he was with De Danann during the time ( way back then ) when they recorded their second LP, " Selected Jigs, Reels & Songs ". I don't know that it's ever been released on CD.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Traditional
• Irish

[raceygofast]

Very nice, never heard this version before.

[cuchaia]

Thanks a lot ... glad you liked it ... see you like The Animals .. good band

[edelahaye]

BTW, why to you you hide yourself when playing the low whistle (in F, ?) ? There is no reason to be ashame of.

[cuchaia]

It's true I don't play the whistle much but my reason for shooting the video as I did was for artistic effect, if you will. Like I said above, I like to experiment and I'm new to cameras and making videos. I find I like making videos though. I enjoy the challenge of producing something that is interesting visually as well as sound-wise. Maybe I'm a budding film maker. I enjoyed the videos you made in Ireland. All the best ! Peace

[edelahaye]

Well done. I do love this song and more thanks for the lyrics !

You should have tried a less noisy place. I can hear a plane at a moment !

[cuchaia]

Thanks for your comments. I'm happy that you liked it.

Yes, its all location, location, location I know. I was experimenting with that particular location which was the entrance to my apartment building in Vancouver. It seemed to work in most ways and these days it's hard to find anywhere outside which is quiet for very long. Vancouver airport is a busy one.

[houseconcerts]

@McGrenzer Thanks so much, nice start to the day here, best, se

[McGrenzer]

More than just a video...a dramatic production. You appear to the haunting sound of the whistle, sing a powerful murder ballad with the voice of age and experience and exit stage right to the same music. I think the movement, outdoor location and whistle tune make all the difference. You came into the viewer's life, told a terrible story and passed on. Memorable. Thank you.

[cuchaia]

Hi ! Thanks for the comment...keep up the good work Insanity .... best, :-)

[cuchaia]

Thank you. I did in fact learn it from the singing of Johnny Moynihan when he recorded it with De Danann. Best to you.